STILL UP IN THE AIR: The State Government is still yet to commit to giving the tick of approval to the Walkerston bypass, which will help separate truck traffic from schools and the community.Lianne Gee

No commitment yet for Bowen Basin Service Link bypass

THE State Government has pledged to bring infrastructure projects forward to help boost the Mackay economy, however the one project the region is campaigning for has still gone begging.

Yesterday the Palaszczuk government had still not made a commitment to development of the Bowen Basin Service Link which has been estimated to cost $160-180 million.

That's despite strong campaigning from one of its own members, a commitment by the Federal Government to provide half of the funding and a call by industry leaders for the government to step up its focus on the region.

Reader poll

Should the bypass be given priority over other infrastructure projects in Mackay?

This poll ended on 21 January 2016.

Current Results

Yes

83%

No

16%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

Resource Industry Network chair Tony Caruso said the loss of more than 7000 jobs from the region in the past 12 months should attract the State Government's attention.

"We would like to see the State Government... create opportunities outside of the direct mining related work, including in the tourism, education and construction industries," he said.

Late last year State Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson asked the State Minister for Transport Mark Bailey what stage the Walkerston bypass was at.

He said the Mackay Ring Road, which would deliver 2.6km of the bypass, would take three years to complete and begin in mid-2017.

"There is currently no funding allocated for the construction of the Walkerston bypass," he said.

Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen said if the Walkerston bypass went ahead, it would create 150 to 200 jobs.

He said although the Federal Government had pledged to fund 50% of the project under the Northern Roads program, the State Government had not accepted.

"The State Government needed to list their priorities this month, and it's not in the list the government's put to (us)," he said.

"I think it's a very big missed opportunity."

Member for Mirani Jim Pearce said he wrote to the Premier on Monday, asking her to keep the bypass in mind.

"We'd like it tomorrow if it'd happen, but you've got to be real, it's not going to happen tomorrow," he said.

"You've just got to keep reminding people in Brisbane that you've got an issue and you'd like to have it dealt with."

Mackay Road Accident and Action Group member Carol Single said she was disappointed no commitment had been made on the Walkerston bypass.

"Why would a State Government ignore an offer from the Federal Government to provide 50% funding?" she said.